Had a client's face turn bright red from a new enzyme peel I tried last month

Honestly, I was at my booth in the local mall and decided to test a new fruit enzyme peel from a brand I hadn't used before. I did the patch test, waited the full 5 minutes, and it seemed fine. Tbh, halfway through the full facial, her cheeks got super hot and blotchy. I stopped right away, used a cool compress and a calming serum I keep for this, and the redness went down after about 20 minutes. Has anyone else had a reaction even after a patch test came back clear?

4 comments

4 Comments

evanc592mo ago

Wait, did you do the patch test on her face or on her arm? I've heard some people react differently on different skin areas, so an arm patch test can miss a facial reaction.

the_simon2mo agoMost Upvoted

Evan's got a good point about the patch test location. It's a real thing where skin on the arm can handle something the face can't, maybe because facial skin is just thinner or more sensitive. I always do a patch test behind the ear or along the jaw now, which seems to catch more potential reactions. Even then, a small patch might not react the same way a full application does, especially with something like an enzyme that sits on the skin. It's frustrating when you follow the rules and it still happens.

riverw172mo ago

Yeah, that "follow the rules and it still happens" bit is just how a lot of modern advice feels now. Like the official steps are never quite enough.

ruby_henderson361mo ago

My jaw patch test failed me last week too.